Pin shot measuring device

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this invention is to permit accurate determinations of the distance of a golf ball to a golf cup on a golf green. A golf pin shot measuring device is employed to fit within a golf cup. The golf pin shot measuring device has a string therein that may be locked in place to permit accurate determinations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The purpose of this invention is to permit accurate determinations ofthe distance of a golf ball to a golf cup on a golf green.

2. Description of the Art Practices

U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,278 issued Oct. 2, 1990 to Hainey describes Apocket-sized divot repair tool which has two strong, thin metal prongsrigidly attached to a disc-shaped handle which contains a spool of veryfine, high-strength, man-made line of substantial length fastened to ahookclamp which may be unsnapped from the handle, hooked around a golfflagstick and played out in order to measure relative distance tocompeting golf balls. The line is retrieved by opening a crank hinged tothe spool, after which the crank is closed and the hook/clamp snappedback onto the handle locking itself and the spool firmly into place.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,839 issued to Krangle on Sep. 10, 1991 discloses ahand-held electro/optical range finder, sends discrete pulses ofcoherent light to a retroreflector which is mounted on a golf coursepin. The time period required for the light pulses to traverse thedistance between the golfer and the pin is converted into a distancemeasurement which is displayed to the golfer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,823 issued Feb. 14, 2006 to Garza Sep. 10, 1991recites a golf green reader includes a lens comprising a plurality ofspaced, parallel lines and a line extending perpendicularly to thespaced, parallel lines. When the perpendicularly extending line isaligned with a golf ball resting on a golf green and the pin of the golfgreen, the spaced, parallel lines are used to read the slope orinclination of the golf green. The golf green reader includes a levelfor aligning the spaced, parallel lines horizontally and a handle foraligning the perpendicularly extending line with the golf ball and cup.The lens of the golf green reader further includes vertically spacedindicia useful in determining the distance within 150 yards to the pinof a golf green. A lanyard precisely positions the golf green readerrelative to user thereof to facilitate an accurate reading of thedistance of the pin.

United States published patent application 20060148595 naming Bostock asan inventor published Jul. 6, 2006. The Bostock application recites atelescopic distance marker includes attachment means for a cardholderand writing implement. The preferred embodiment has a magneticattachment and a separate small wallet with metal studs or strip fixedto the bottom for attaching to the magnet. This wallet is highvisibility and also doubles as a flag. Inside the wallet is a pencil,eraser and pre-printed cards to enable competitors in a golf competitionto record their names. The pre-printed cards are heavy duty so thatnames written in pencil can be erased and the cards can be used again.

Shekell in United States Design patent D332,573 issued Jan. 19, 1993provides an ornamental design for a measuring line spool housing for usein golf.

To the extent that the foregoing references are relevant to the presentinvention, they are herein specifically incorporated by reference.Certain portions of the disclosure of this patent document containsmaterial which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright ownerhas no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is in a first aspect a golf pin shotmeasuring device 10 comprising:

a pin shot measuring device central region 12;

a pin shot measuring device upper section 40;

a pin shot measuring device lower section 90;

said pin shot measuring device central region 12 fixedly connected witha pin shot measuring device upper section 40;

said pin shot measuring device central region 12 intermediate betweensaid pin shot measuring device upper section 40 and said pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90;

said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 rotatablely connected tosaid pin shot measuring device upper section 40; and,

a pin shot measuring device spool 140, for when in use receiving a pinshot measuring device string 60, fixedly connected to said pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90.

A further aspect of the invention is a golf pin shot measuring device 10comprising:

a pin shot measuring device central region 12;

a pin shot measuring device upper section 40;

a pin shot measuring device lower section 90;

said pin shot measuring device central region 12 fixedly connected withsaid pin shot measuring device upper section 40;

said pin shot measuring device central region 12 intermediate betweensaid pin shot measuring device upper section 40 and said pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90;

said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 rotatablely connected tosaid pin shot measuring device upper section 40;

said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is connected with a pinshot measuring device crank arm 100;

a pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102 is fixedlyconnected with said pin shot measuring device crank arm;

said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 has pin shot measuringdevice crank arm cross piece slot 96, for when in use, to receive saidpin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102;

a pin shot measuring device spool 140 fixedly connected to said pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90;

a pin shot measuring device string 60 attached at a first end to saidpin shot measuring device spool 140; and,

said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a plurality ofstring locking channels 180, for when in use, to permit the pin shotmeasuring device crank arm 100 to be inserted into one of said stringlocking channels 180.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon consideration of the following description of the inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 4 side view of a part of the pin shot measuring device pin shotmeasuring device;

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a part of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a part of the pin shot measuring device;

FIG. 8 is an alternate top plan view of the pin shot measuring device;and,

FIG. 9 is an alternate top plan view of the pin shot measuring device;With more particular reference to the drawings the following is setforth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best seen in FIG. 1, is a pin shot measuring device 10. The firstportion of the pin shot measuring device 10 is a pin shot measuringdevice central region 12. The pin shot measuring device central region12 may be made of any convenient material including plastic, metal, orwood or combinations thereof. The pin shot measuring device centralregion 12 may be molded, stamped or cut to the desired shape.

At one end of the pin shot measuring device central region 12 is a pinshot measuring device tip 16. The opposite end of the pin shot measuringdevice central region 12 is a pin shot measuring device circular region14. The pin shot measuring device central region 12 has an elongatedbody region between the pin shot measuring device central region 12 andthe generally circular area. A pin shot measuring device tapered section20 extends from the pin shot measuring device central region 12. Locatedon the pin shot measuring device central region 12 is a pin shotmeasuring device channel 26.

Also as seen in FIG. 1 is a pin shot measuring device upper section 40.The pin shot measuring device upper section 40 has a pin shot measuringdevice upper section outer surface 42. The pin shot measuring deviceupper section outer surface 42 as a pin shot measuring device dimpledregion 48. A pin shot measuring device fastener 50 is shown centrallylocated on the pin shot measuring device upper section 40.

A pin shot measuring device upper section opening 54 is located in thepin shot measuring device upper section 40. The pin shot measuringdevice upper section opening 54 is conveniently positioned so as toextend through the pin shot measuring device upper section 40.Alternatively, the pin shot measuring device upper section opening 54may be a notch in the edge of the pin shot measuring device uppersection 40.

A pin shot measuring device string 60 is shown extending through the pinshot measuring device upper section opening 54. A pin shot measuringdevice end piece 70 is fixed at one end of the pin shot measuring devicestring 60. A pin shot measuring device end piece opening 76 extendsthrough the pin shot measuring device end piece 70.

As seen in FIG. 7, a pin shot measuring device fastener channel 198extends through the pin shot measuring device upper section 40. A pinshot measuring device upper section inner surface 206 partially definesa pin shot measuring device upper section chamber 210.

Turning to FIG. 2, there is seen the reverse side of the pin shotmeasuring device central region 12. FIG. 2 depicts the pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90 of the pin shot measuring device 10.The pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is a generallycylindrical component.

According to FIG. 6, a more detailed view of the pin shot measuringdevice central region 12 is shown. At one end of the pin shot measuringdevice central region 12 is circular region having a plurality ofopenings through the pin shot measuring device central region 12 labeled180 a, 180 b, 180 c, and 180 d. The plurality of openings through thepin shot measuring device central region 12 surround a pin shotmeasuring device central region void 188.

Also shown in FIG. 6 are a pin shot measuring device central regionretention channel 170, a pin shot measuring device central regionretention channel 172, a pin shot measuring device central regionretention channel 174, and a pin shot measuring device central regionretention channel 176. The pin shot measuring device central regionretention channels serve to fasten the pin shot measuring device centralregion 12 to the pin shot measuring device upper section 40.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are detailed views of the pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90. A pin shot measuring device lowersection outer wall 92 surrounds the periphery of the pin shot measuringdevice lower section 90. The pin shot measuring device lower sectionouter wall 92 is preferably cylindrical to permit easy insertion into agolf hole. A pin shot measuring device lower section inner wall 94 isopposite the pin shot measuring device lower section outer wall 92.

A pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece slot 96 extends intothe pin shot measuring device lower section 90 from the pin shotmeasuring device lower section outer wall 92. The pin shot measuringdevice crank arm cross piece slot 96 ends before penetrating the pinshot measuring device lower section inner wall 94.

A pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 extends through the pin shotmeasuring device lower section 90. The pin shot measuring device crankarm 100 permits ease in rotating the pin shot measuring device lowersection 90. The pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 is alsorotatable in a channel through the pin shot measuring device lowersection 90. The pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 has aspring-loaded mechanism (not shown) that permits movement in the channelthrough the pin shot measuring device lower section 90.

A pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102 extends throughthe pin shot measuring device crank arm 100. The pin shot measuringdevice crank arm cross piece 102 may be swaged into a channel in the pinshot measuring device crank arm 100.

Alternatively, the pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102may be adhered to the channel in the pin shot measuring device crank arm100 or screwed into pin shot measuring device crank arm 100. While thepin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102 is shown extendingcompletely through the pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 it may beconstructed such as it is only partially through the pin shot measuringdevice crank arm 100. The pin shot measuring device crank arm crosspiece 102 is sized to fit within the pin shot measuring device crank armcross piece slot 96.

As seen in FIG. 5, a pin shot measuring device retaining mechanism 108is attached to the pin shot measuring device lower section 90. The pinshot measuring device retaining mechanism 108 is conveniently anenvelope like structure.

A pin shot measuring device marker retaining mechanism 110 is alsoattached to the pin shot measuring device lower section 90. A pin shotmeasuring device marker retaining mechanism 110 may alternatively beattached to the pin shot measuring device retaining mechanism 108. Thepin shot measuring device marker retaining mechanism 110 is comprised ofa pin shot measuring device wall 114 and a pin shot measuring devicewall 116.

Together the pin shot measuring device wall 114 and the pin shotmeasuring device wall 116 form a pin shot measuring device wall channel118. A marking device such as a pencil may be inserted into the pin shotmeasuring device wall channel 118.

Turning again to FIG. 4, a pin shot measuring device spool 140 isattached to the pin shot measuring device lower section 90. The pin shotmeasuring device spool 140 is a coaxially located on the pin shotmeasuring device lower section inner wall 94. The pin shot measuringdevice spool 140 has a pin shot measuring device arm 146 and a pin shotmeasuring device arm 148. A pin shot measuring device spool shaft 160extends axially through the pin shot measuring device spool 140.

In use the pin shot measuring device spool shaft 160 is threaded andreceives the pin shot measuring device fastener 50 through the pin shotmeasuring device fastener channel 198 to attach the pin shot measuringdevice upper section 40 to the pin shot measuring device lower section90.

The pin shot measuring device 10 is assembled through pin shot measuringdevice central region retention channels 170, 172, 174, and 176 byscrews to the pin shot measuring device upper section 40.

The pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is connected to the pinshot measuring device spool 140. The pin shot measuring device string 60is fixed at one end to the 140. The pin shot measuring device string 60is passed through the pin shot measuring device central region void 188of the pin shot measuring device central region 12.

The pin shot measuring device string 60 exits through the pin shotmeasuring device upper section opening 54. The pin shot measuring deviceend piece 70 is then attached to the pin shot measuring device string60.

In use, a first golfer hits a golf ball onto a golf green 300. The firstgolfer is the first to reach the golf green 300. The first golfer isentitled to win a prize or honor for being the first to reach the golfgreen 300. The first golfer then enters the first golfer's name on asheet of paper and places that paper in the shot measuring deviceretaining mechanism 108. The first golfer may use a pencil attached tothe pin shot measuring device marker retaining mechanism 110. The firstgolfer then places the pin shot measuring device 10 in the golf green300 using the pin shot measuring device tip 16.

Thereafter, a second golfer and a third golfer each hit a golf shot ontoa golf green 300. The second golfer and the third golfer each believethat they are closer to the golf cup 306 (or pin) than the first golfer.A neutral party then removes the pin shot measuring device 10 from whereit was placed by the first golfer taking care to place a coin or otherobject in the original location of the pin shot measuring device 10.

The neutral party then takes the pin shot measuring device 10 to thegolf cup 306. The pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is thenplaced in the golf cup 306 so that the pin shot measuring device lowersection outer wall 92 is firmly against the golf cup outer wall 304 inthe direction of the second golfer's golf ball. The pin shot measuringdevice central region 12 may be firmly connected to the golf green 300by a golf tee 310 inserted through the pin shot measuring device channel26.

The neutral party then unrolls the pin shot measuring device string 60by gently pulling the second end a pin shot measuring device end piece70 a sufficient distance until the second golfer's golf ball is reached.The very end of the pin shot measuring device end piece 70 is thenallowed to touch the closest point of that golf ball to the golf cup306.

A second neutral party then carefully removes the pin shot measuringdevice 10 from the golf cup 306 and turns the pin shot measuring devicecrank arm 100 to the point where the pin shot measuring device crank armcross piece 102 is longitudinally aligned with the pin shot measuringdevice crank arm cross piece slot 96. Through the action of the springin the pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 the pin shot measuringdevice crank arm cross piece 102 is aligned urged into pin shotmeasuring device crank arm cross piece slot 96.

The pin shot measuring device crank arm shaft 104 then engages one ofthe string locking channels 180 a-d and locks the pin shot measuringdevice string 60 in place. The second neutral party then replaces thepin shot measuring device 10 in the golf cup 306 and the first neutralparty measures the distanced to the third golfer's golf ball aspreviously described.

If, for example, the second golfer's golf ball is closer to the holethan either the first golfer's golf ball or the third golfer's golf ballthen the pin shot measuring device 10 is inserted into the golf green300 as previously described. If the first golfer's golf ball is stillthe closest to the golf cup 306 then the pin shot measuring device 10 isreturned to its prior location.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8and FIG. 9. In the alternative embodiment the pin shot measuring devicecircular region 14 diameter of the pin shot measuring device centralregion 12 is greater than that of the golf cup 306. In such anarrangement the pin shot measuring device central region 12 lies uponthe golf green 300 while the pin shot measuring device lower section 90is within the golf hole 306.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the artwill perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Suchimprovements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art areintended to be covered by the appended claims.

1. A golf pin shot measuring device 10 comprising: a pin shot measuring device central region 12; a pin shot measuring device upper section 40; a pin shot measuring device lower section 90; said pin shot measuring device central region 12 fixedly connected with a pin shot measuring device upper section 40; said pin shot measuring device central region 12 intermediate between said pin shot measuring device upper section 40 and said pin shot measuring device lower section 90; said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 rotatablely connected to said pin shot measuring device upper section 40; and, a pin shot measuring device spool 140, for when in use receiving a pin shot measuring device string 60, fixedly connected to said pin shot measuring device lower section
 90. 2. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 1, wherein said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 has a pin shot measuring device lower section outer wall
 92. 3. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 2, wherein said pin shot measuring device lower section outer wall 92 is constructed to fit snuggly within a golf cup.
 4. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 1, wherein said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is connected with a pin shot measuring device crank arm
 100. 5. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 4, wherein a pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102 is fixedly connected with said pin shot measuring device crank arm.
 6. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 5, wherein said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 has pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece slot 96, for when in use, to receive the pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece
 102. 7. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 4, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a pin shot measuring device tip 16, for when in use, to permit insertion of said golf pin shot measuring device 10 into a golf green.
 8. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 1, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a pin shot measuring device channel 26, for when in use to receive a golf green fixing mechanism.
 9. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 1, further comprising a pin shot measuring device string 60 attached at a first end to said pin shot measuring device spool
 140. 10. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 9, wherein said pin shot measuring device string 60 has attached at a second end a pin shot measuring device end piece 70 having a pin shot measuring device end piece opening 76, for when in use, to receive a golf green fixing mechanism.
 11. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 1, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter greater than a golf cup.
 12. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 4, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a plurality of string locking channels 180, for when in use, to permit the pin shot measuring device crank arm shaft 104 to be inserted into one of said string locking channels
 180. 13. A golf pin shot measuring device 10 comprising: a pin shot measuring device central region 12; a pin shot measuring device upper section 40; a pin shot measuring device lower section 90; said pin shot measuring device central region 12 fixedly connected with said pin shot measuring device upper section 40; said pin shot measuring device central region 12 intermediate between said pin shot measuring device upper section 40 and said pin shot measuring device lower section 90; said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 rotatablely connected to said pin shot measuring device upper section 40; said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 is connected with a pin shot measuring device crank arm 100; a pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102 is fixedly connected with said pin shot measuring device crank arm; said pin shot measuring device lower section 90 has pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece slot 96, for when in use, to receive said pin shot measuring device crank arm cross piece 102; a pin shot measuring device spool 140 fixedly connected to said pin shot measuring device lower section 90; a pin shot measuring device string 60 attached at a first end to said pin shot measuring device spool 140; and, said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a plurality of string locking channels 180, for when in use, to permit the pin shot measuring device crank arm 100 to be inserted into one of said string locking channels
 180. 14. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 13, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a pin shot measuring device circular region 14 with an outer diameter greater than a golf cup.
 15. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 13, wherein said pin shot measuring device central region 12 has a pin shot measuring device tip 16, for when in use, to permit insertion into a golf green.
 16. The golf pin shot measuring device 10 according to claim 13, wherein said pin shot measuring device string 60 has attached at a second end a pin shot measuring device end piece 70 having a pin shot measuring device end piece opening 76, for when in use, to receive a golf green fixing mechanism. 